Bendheim Wall Systems’ Channel Glass Project Wins World Architecture News Effectiveness Award

The Union County Juvenile Detention Center in Linden, N.J., featuring our channel glass, is a winner of the first World Architecture News (WAN) Effectiveness Awards. The first major international competition of its kind, the WAN Awards aims to find the best examples of architectural design, which profoundly impact society.

Described as “optimism that belies the building type,” the 72,000 sq. ft. Center transcends correctional facility stereotypes. Designed by Ricci Greene Associates, the open and spacious building promotes a sense of connection to the outside and provides a safe and humane environment for residents.

Only one room deep at any given point, the building wraps around a one acre outdoor courtyard, optimizing daylight, space, and connectivity. At the same time, it serves as the Center’s secure perimeter. High-impact security glazing replaces steel bars or perimeter fencing and offers a more normative environment for youths, while providing daylight and views.

Daylight is a paramount element of the Center’s design and floods in from both the exterior and corridor.  Bendheim provided our SGCC certified 504 Rough Cast™ textured channel glass with a thermal insulation interlayer, installed in our proprietary frame system, for the project. Interior housing units incorporate a raked roof, creating a vertical window-wall of channel glass almost 16 feet above the ground. Installed by Clifton Architectural Glass and Mirror, Clifton, N.J., our Lamberts® channel glass is free of mullions and allows abundant year-round daylight, while shielding interiors from the hot summer sun.

The translucent, U-shaped channel glass can create sweeping walls of glass, including curves and corners, without the need for intermediate framing members. Reaching heights of 23 feet, it is an ideal daylighting material and contains as much as 60 percent recycled glass, including up to 40 percent post-consumer content.

Daylight, colors, textures, and views to the outside have been shown to have a positive impact on the mood and behavior of both residents and employees of the Center. Through integration of architectural design, counseling, education, and recreational programs, the Center is not merely a correctional facility but a vital part of the justice system. It is designed to support interaction between youths, mentors, and community volunteers, as well as facilitate residents’ successful transition back into the community.

“The Union County Juvenile Detention Center is a remarkable example of architectural design having an impact on society in a direct and positive manner,” said Michael Tryon, General Manager of Bendheim Wall Systems, Inc. “The project makes an excellent case for the positive physiological effects of daylighting and views, made possible through our channel glass wall system.”